Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man
King James Version
And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Holman Bible
This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain
International Standard Version
This is also a painful tragedy: However a person comes, he also departs; so what does he gain as he labors after the wind?
A Conservative Version
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he that he labored for the wind?
American Standard Version
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind?
Amplified
This also is a grievous evil—exactly as he was born, so he shall die. So what advantage has he who labors for the wind?
Bible in Basic English
And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?
Darby Translation
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came so doth he go away, and what profit hath he, in having laboured for the wind?
Julia Smith Translation
And also this an evil making sick, wholly as he came so shall he go: and what to him he shall labor for the wind?
King James 2000
And this also is a great evil, that just as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
Lexham Expanded Bible
This also [is] a grievous illness. Exactly as he came, so he will go. What profit [does] he gain for all his toil for the wind?
Modern King James verseion
And this also is a sore evil, that in all, as he came, so shall he go; and what profit does he have who has labored for the wind?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
This is a miserable plague, that he shall go away even as he came. What helpeth him then, that he hath labored in the wind?
NET Bible
This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?
New Heart English Bible
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
The Emphasized Bible
Even this, moreover, is an incurable evil, altogether as he came, so, shall he depart, - what profit then shall he have who toileth for the wind?
Webster
And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
World English Bible
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
Youngs Literal Translation
And this also is a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage is to him who laboureth for wind?
Themes
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Interlinear
Chalah
Ra`
References
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 5:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
Hoarding Wealth Can Backfire
15
We entered this world with nothing and naked and we will leave this world with nothing and naked.
16 This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man
Cross References
Proverbs 11:29
He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind. The fool will serve the wise of heart.
Ecclesiastes 1:3
What profit does a man have of all his labor that he works under the sun?
1 Samuel 12:21
Do not go after false gods and empty things. They cannot help you or save you. They are useless.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
What does a man get for all his work, and for the desire of his heart with which he has done his work under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 5:13
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun. I have seen riches being hoarded by their owner to his downfall (distress).
Isaiah 26:18
We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth. We have not given birth to people of the world.
Jeremiah 2:8
The priests did not ask: 'Where is Jehovah? Those who deal with my Law did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that could not help (profit) them.'
Hosea 8:7
The people of Israel plant the wind, but they harvest a storm. A field of grain that does not ripen will never produce any grain. Even if it did produce grain, foreigners would eat it all.
Mark 8:36
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes but for food that offers everlasting life. The Son of man will give you this food. The Father, even God, has set his seal upon him.